Wondering what to do about having liquor at your reception? If you are making the bar arrangements for your wedding reception, you may be wondering how to do this. You are probably asking how much liquor you should buy or what kind you should buy. Will you be able to return the unopened bottles.
If you are allowed to stock your own bar, it can save you a lot of money! Here are some tips…
Think about the types of guests you are having. Are they beer, wine, or hard liquor drinkers? This will help you to determine the quantities of each kind. But, remember, you can make the final choices as to what you will serve. Having a cocktail reception with just beer and wine is great. If you are having an early afternoon reception, perhaps you could serve Mimosas or Bloody Mary’s or create your very own signature drink – a popular choice today.
You can save money for the champagne toast by having it brought out already poured at the time of the toast. This way, the guests will not see the brand and you, therefore, could choose a less expensive champagne. Most people only sip it anyway for the toast and don’t touch it again, so why waste your money on Dom Perignon when you can serve André. This will enable you to spend a little more on the wines you'll be serving with dinner, if that is more important to you.
You can set a budget for liquor. Contact a good liquor wholesaler, as they will work with you to stay within your budget. There are such a wide variety of wines in different price ranges, that you will be able to find a good one to fit your budget. Additionally, you can choose between "top shelf" liquors or "house pour" liquors (i.e. Absolut vs. Smirnoff.)
If the wholesaler is a good one, they should also be able to help you choose the right wines, champagne, etc. to go with your cocktail hour and menu.
Finally, make sure they will credit you for any unopened bottles.
Cheers!
Monday, January 29, 2007
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Changing Records to Your New Married Name
If you will be changing your name to your new married name, there are a few things you will need to do. Following is a general checklist for you to use as a guide.
Apply for a New Social Security Card
Don't forget that you are required to change your maiden name to your married name (if you decide to do this) officially with the US government by applying for a new Social Security Card. You can do this at your local Social Security Office, by mail or online at: www.ssa.gov. If you were married in 2006, you will need to do this prior to your filing your tax returns this year. Otherwise, if you file married and use your married name but haven't changed your Social Security records, the IRS will kick back your return because your SS number will not match with your new married name. So don't delay - do it today!
Some other records you will need to change are:
¨ Driver’s license
¨ Vehicle registration
¨ Voter registration
¨ Passport
¨ Employer’s records
¨ Bank accounts
¨ Credit card accounts
¨ Wills
¨ Insurance policies
¨ Property titles
¨ Medical records
Check with each office to see if you will need a copy of your marriage certificate. Most places will require it, but some only require a copy where others require a certified copy. You may request certified copies from the License Department where you applied for your marriage license for a nominal fee. It’s a good idea to call these places ahead of time to see what they require and then order the appropriate number of certified copies and make additional copies as well.
If you are able to after you return from your honeymoon, take a full day where you and your husband can go to the bank, MVA, etc. and get the records changed knocked out all in one day. My husband and I were able to do this and it saved us a lot of time later down the road.
Apply for a New Social Security Card
Don't forget that you are required to change your maiden name to your married name (if you decide to do this) officially with the US government by applying for a new Social Security Card. You can do this at your local Social Security Office, by mail or online at: www.ssa.gov. If you were married in 2006, you will need to do this prior to your filing your tax returns this year. Otherwise, if you file married and use your married name but haven't changed your Social Security records, the IRS will kick back your return because your SS number will not match with your new married name. So don't delay - do it today!
Some other records you will need to change are:
¨ Driver’s license
¨ Vehicle registration
¨ Voter registration
¨ Passport
¨ Employer’s records
¨ Bank accounts
¨ Credit card accounts
¨ Wills
¨ Insurance policies
¨ Property titles
¨ Medical records
Check with each office to see if you will need a copy of your marriage certificate. Most places will require it, but some only require a copy where others require a certified copy. You may request certified copies from the License Department where you applied for your marriage license for a nominal fee. It’s a good idea to call these places ahead of time to see what they require and then order the appropriate number of certified copies and make additional copies as well.
If you are able to after you return from your honeymoon, take a full day where you and your husband can go to the bank, MVA, etc. and get the records changed knocked out all in one day. My husband and I were able to do this and it saved us a lot of time later down the road.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Passports - again
Okay. I keep finding out more info. about the new law regarding passports. Besides, Canada, the Bahamas and the Caribbean, you will also need a passport to go to Mexico. However, if I heard correctly and correct me if I'm wrong travel people, you only need a passport to go to Canada and Mexico if you travel there by car - you still need the normal paperwork, such as, birth certificate, driver's license, etc. Otherwise, if you go there by air, cruise, etc. I assume you don't need one.
Remember, this goes into effect on January 23, 2007.
Remember, this goes into effect on January 23, 2007.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Baby Shower
Okay. I really only do weddings, however, this baby shower is for my oldest daughter. She and her husband are expecting their first child, a girl, in March. I am having so much fun planning this for her. It's sort of nice planning something other than weddings for a change of pace. Who knows? Maybe I'll add baby showers onto my wedding business one day.
Anyway, I thought I would share what I am doing. Her shower is next month on February 17. I am hosting it at my house. The shower will be from 1pm-4pm. We are going to serve light Hors d'Oeuvres with a baby buggy cake and mini-chocolate fountain for dessert. Her colors are lavender, yellow and pink with a butterfly theme. I scanned the picture of a butterfly from the invitations and am using that as the "logo" on all the signage, favor tags, etc. for the shower. It's so cute.
We are playing two games and having a raffle for a gift basket. The first game is an "ice-breaker" game. I have a made-up funny story about the shower using the words "right" and "left" several times throughout the story. As the guests hear the words "right" or "left" they will pass around an object (or it can be the actual prize) in that direction. It is really funny to see the guests pass a gift around back and forth several times and never know where it ends up until the end of the story. I did it with my family for Christmas a few years back - with a Christmas story, of course. Obviously, the last person holding the object or prize when the story is finished, wins. The second game will be the common "guess the measurement of the expectant mother's belly" using ribbon. Each guest passes around a spool of ribbon and tries to estimate how long they need to cut it in order to fit around the mom-to-be's belly. The guest that comes the closest, wins. For the gift basket raffle, each guest has to bring a pack of diapers or wipes. I will have their names pre-printed and as they arrive with their diapers or wipes, I will drop their name in the basket for the mom-to-be to draw the winning name near the end of the shower. To increase their chances, they can enter as many times as they like by bringing more than one pack of diapers or wipes. This is a good way for the expectant mother to start out with a good supply of diapers and wipes.
The "ice-breaker" game could be revised for a bridal shower. That would be really fun. Sorry, I just had to have something related to weddings on this post.
Back to baby shower - I will post pictures afterwards. I am just hoping the weather cooperates by not suddenly having a blizzard. We've been so fortunate to have a very unseasonably warm winter. I'm just praying that continues throughout the rest of the winter, especially for the shower and when it comes time for the baby to be born.
All right. I've written enough on the baby shower for now. More later.
Anyway, I thought I would share what I am doing. Her shower is next month on February 17. I am hosting it at my house. The shower will be from 1pm-4pm. We are going to serve light Hors d'Oeuvres with a baby buggy cake and mini-chocolate fountain for dessert. Her colors are lavender, yellow and pink with a butterfly theme. I scanned the picture of a butterfly from the invitations and am using that as the "logo" on all the signage, favor tags, etc. for the shower. It's so cute.
We are playing two games and having a raffle for a gift basket. The first game is an "ice-breaker" game. I have a made-up funny story about the shower using the words "right" and "left" several times throughout the story. As the guests hear the words "right" or "left" they will pass around an object (or it can be the actual prize) in that direction. It is really funny to see the guests pass a gift around back and forth several times and never know where it ends up until the end of the story. I did it with my family for Christmas a few years back - with a Christmas story, of course. Obviously, the last person holding the object or prize when the story is finished, wins. The second game will be the common "guess the measurement of the expectant mother's belly" using ribbon. Each guest passes around a spool of ribbon and tries to estimate how long they need to cut it in order to fit around the mom-to-be's belly. The guest that comes the closest, wins. For the gift basket raffle, each guest has to bring a pack of diapers or wipes. I will have their names pre-printed and as they arrive with their diapers or wipes, I will drop their name in the basket for the mom-to-be to draw the winning name near the end of the shower. To increase their chances, they can enter as many times as they like by bringing more than one pack of diapers or wipes. This is a good way for the expectant mother to start out with a good supply of diapers and wipes.
The "ice-breaker" game could be revised for a bridal shower. That would be really fun. Sorry, I just had to have something related to weddings on this post.
Back to baby shower - I will post pictures afterwards. I am just hoping the weather cooperates by not suddenly having a blizzard. We've been so fortunate to have a very unseasonably warm winter. I'm just praying that continues throughout the rest of the winter, especially for the shower and when it comes time for the baby to be born.
All right. I've written enough on the baby shower for now. More later.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
Update on Passports
I just found out the effective date for requiring passports to travel to Canada, the Caribbean and the Bahamas is January 23. So get cracking on applying for those passports if you are traveling after January 23 to one of the countries listed above.
Honeymoon Planning - Passports
If you are planning to travel to Canada, the Caribbean or the Bahamas, be aware - beginning this month, you will now need a passport to travel to these countries, just as if you were traveling to Europe. To help with this new requirement, some hotels and resorts from these countries are actually offering to pay for the cost of getting your passport. Be sure to check with your travel agency when booking your honeymoon to Canada, the Caribbean or the Bahamas to see if the hotel or resort you plan to go to offers this service. Make sure you allow enough time to apply for your passport. Sometimes it can take over a month to six weeks to receive it. Happy traveling!
Monday, January 1, 2007
Welcome...
to the Wedding Day Insights blog. I am new to the world of blogging, so you will have to bear with me if something doesn’t seem to work correctly.
Let me tell you a little about myself. I became interested in wedding planning after planning my own wedding in three and a half months. Everything went so smoothly and I enjoyed the planning so much, I thought this would be a great job I could do from home. I love all the attention to detail it takes to put a wedding together. You are asking, “Are you crazy?” No, I really love it.
I started helping friends with their weddings and after I felt I had enough experience, I decided to go professional in 2000. I read and read many books and I took a home-study training program to become a professional consultant as well as join a local wedding professional association. I now serve on the Board of that association.
I have kept my business small on purpose. I limit the number of weddings I do per year in order to allow me to give personal attention to each client and ensure I treat each bride as if they were my only client.
I finished my last wedding of 2006 on December 16 and look forward to another great year in 2007.
Let me tell you a little about myself. I became interested in wedding planning after planning my own wedding in three and a half months. Everything went so smoothly and I enjoyed the planning so much, I thought this would be a great job I could do from home. I love all the attention to detail it takes to put a wedding together. You are asking, “Are you crazy?” No, I really love it.
I started helping friends with their weddings and after I felt I had enough experience, I decided to go professional in 2000. I read and read many books and I took a home-study training program to become a professional consultant as well as join a local wedding professional association. I now serve on the Board of that association.
I have kept my business small on purpose. I limit the number of weddings I do per year in order to allow me to give personal attention to each client and ensure I treat each bride as if they were my only client.
I finished my last wedding of 2006 on December 16 and look forward to another great year in 2007.
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